How to Be a Good Property Manager in 2025

Whether you're a hands-on landlord, a full-service management company, or just starting out, mastering property management in 2025 means adapting to a rapidly evolving rental landscape. With the rise of AI-powered tools and higher tenant expectations, being a "good" property manager looks different than it used to.

But don't worry: you can be a great property manager in 2025. The key is knowing what aspects of your property management tools you want to upgrade.

Let’s go over the four core skills that every rental manager needs. Having a better understanding of these principles can help avoid the following common problems:

• Higher rates of evictions
• Lower occupancy rates
• Higher turnover rates
• Lower renewal rates
• Difficulty with rental increases
• Lower tenant satisfaction rates
• Reduced net operating income

The good news is, you can keep all of these risks at bay if you know how to make the most of the tools and skills in your toolbox.

DIY Landlord vs. Professional Property Manager

First, let's go over the different types of rental managers. If you're a do-it-yourself rental owner or a full-time manager, being a good property manager may look different depending on which side of the fence you're on.

For instance, DIY landlords will likely want to prioritize screening tenants and marketing their listings, while multi-unit managers will want to focus on efficiency and payments.

Here's a breakdown of each type:

Now that you understand the different manager types in the property management industry, let’s explore the four pillars every manager—new or experienced—needs to master to stay competitive in 2025.

1. Marketing Rentals Like a Pro

Vacancies cost money. A good manager in 2025 knows how to fill them, quickly. Marketing rentals is more than just posting a listing. You need to reach the right renters using the right message. This means posting at the right place and at the right time.

Know Your Market

What works in Denver won't always work in Detroit. Make sure to study local trends and seasonal shifts before listing a property. Use tools like Rentometer, Zillow Rental Manager, or your property management software's rental reports to get a baseline for local pricing.

Use Smart Tech

In 2025, managers have access to powerful property management software like TenantCloud and Tenant Turner to help you automate tasks. A good property manager knows how to harness the power of automation to maximize exposure and reduce delays in listings.

Automation tools may include:

• AI-powered chatbots for 24/7 tenant inquiries
• Automated listing syndication (platforms like TenantCloud, Rentler)
• Virtual and self-guided tour scheduling systems
• Mobile property management apps for listing
• Ai-generated listing descriptions for faster writing

Using automation tools allows you to spend less time on manual tasks and more time focusing on higher value tasks like collecting rent and maintaining properties.

2. Screening Tenants Thoroughly

To find reliable tenants, you need to become an expert in the tenant screening process. Know how to set your preferred rental criteria, when to identify red flags, and what questions to ask to dig deeper.

In 2025, this includes using modern screening technology and AI-powered background check systems to stay compliant and accurate. Digital verification tools are now available to speed up the process, which means faster move-ins and reduced risk for owners and managers.

Set Your Criteria

Rental criteria are the standards landlords use to evaluate tenant applications and determine who will be the best fit for renting. This often includes financial requirements like income and credit score, as well as rental history.

Learn more about setting your rental criteria here.

Know the Rules

Fair housing laws still apply, no matter how modern technology gets. With the myriad network of federal, state, and local laws that govern the screening process, it's important to remain up to date on the dos and don'ts of tenant screenings.

This includes learning the fair housing laws and regulations near you, and keeping all of your background check processes in line with privacy laws.

You don’t want to risk a costly error that could throw your entire operation into jeopardy (and they often happen in the small details!)

Communicate Early and Often

An important part of the tenant screening process is knowing how to respond to applicants and communicate effectively to ensure that the applicants are comfortable with the process from start to finish.

• Attention to Detail: Carefully evaluate tenant applications to identify red flags and ensure a reliable tenant selection.
• Fairness and Compliance: Adhere to all legal standards, including fair housing laws, during the tenant screening process.
• Interpersonal Skills: Build rapport during interviews while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Legal Knowledge: Learn and applying local laws and real estate legislation that may affect screening procedures.

3. Collect Rent Efficiently

Rent collection is often the most complex part for managers and property management companies. Successful property managers know that consistent rent collection is the foundation of long-term success in property management. So, how do they do it?

Automated software and fine-tuned processes.

Rely On Rent Collection Tools

These days, it's as easy as ever to collect rent. Many platforms allow you to set up a rent payment system that nearly puts things on autopilot.

Whether you're tech savvy or a beginner, there are plenty of options to ensure you provide plenty of payment options to tenants while reducing the chances for late payments.

You don't have to chase rent or send constant reminders anymore. Find software that allows you to:

• Take multiple payment options (credit, debit, ACH, even Cryptocurrency, etc.)
• Automate payment reminders
• Enable autopay options for consistency
• Allow tenants to report their rent payments to credit bureaus
• Utilize mobile payments for on-the-go transactions
• Automate late fee assessment and collection

These are all things that a good property manager does instinctively to minimize paperwork and maximize efficiency in rent collection. It’s well worth the investment!

When Things Go Wrong: Conflict Resolution Skills

It doesn't matter how good a property manager is at what they do; Inevitably, they will encounter issues with collecting rent from a tenant.

This is where conflict resolution and customer service come into play. Enforcing lease terms with clearly laid out lease forms, sending out the proper notices on time, documenting the paper trail, and having hard conversations with tenants are all part of the job.

Remember, the best property managers maintain a positive attitude while handling these challenging situations.

Include Tenant-Friendly Options

Beyond just selecting the right tools, good rental property management also means considering their tenants' preferences.

As you get them onboarded, take the time to help them understand how the payment tool works, what features are available, and how they can track payments. Even walking them through renters insurance costs and internet setup goes a long way.

If the tenant is not naturally tech-savvy, helping them understand the platform will ensure that they have a positive rental experience, make on-time payments, and be a long-term tenant.

4. Master Maintenance Management

Maintenance is often the ultimate test for rental managers. Nothing turns tenants away faster (or causes tenants to leave quicker) than poorly managed property maintenance.

A good manager knows that one of the reasons tenants don't renew their lease is when they've had a negative maintenance management issue with their landlord.

In fact, several studies and surveys over the years have determined that things like 24-hour maintenance guarantees and well-kept properties are determining factors of whether a tenant leases somewhere and whether or not they stay.

That may seem like an overwhelming job for rental property management companies, but you're more capable of upkeep than you might think.

In 2025, successful property management means automating the entire maintenance management process to help reduce the friction that often occurs with rental-related issues. Plus, automated vendor dispatching can help make sure any maintenance issues are addressed before they become major problems.

Many property managers are not equipped for the ongoing needs of maintaining a rental, so learning to do regular upkeep and have an emergency system in place are both essential skills to have.

Be Proactive

Successful property managers know to set up routine rental property inspections. Regularly walk the exterior of the buildings to ensure the properties are safe and problem-free. Send out lease violations to tenants who leave trash or other unnecessary items outside the property. Make sure to check areas like gutters, roofing, siding, and railings.

But it's much more than just staying proactive with the little things. New technology can help you forecast issues well before they get bad:

• Preventative maintenance schedules powered by AI analytics
• Digital inspection checklists and photo documentation
• Automated maintenance schedules for HVAC, plumbing, and other systems
• Mobile apps that allow maintenance workers to update job status in real-time
• Smart home technology integration for early problem detection

Using technology can help enhance your already proactive approach and help you stay organized and reduce your operating costs. (Tip: TenantCloud's maintenance management tool does most of the above!)

Create a Circle of Vendors

A good property manager understands the importance of good vendors. So, they find high-quality vendors, and they know how to keep them around by doing things like building relationships, communicating efficiently, paying invoices on time, following up immediately when they identify issues, and so on.

In 2025, a successful property manager uses vendor management platforms that help them track performance and manage repairs.

It’s all about systematizing your vendor management so that all of your properties stay maintained as they should.

Keep Tenant Satisfaction Up

Last but not least, a successful property manager understands that tenant satisfaction is paramount. Ensure that each and every reasonable maintenance issue is addressed, and follow up to make sure that the repairs are satisfactory.

Be quick to communicate if there are any issues, such as delays, time constraints, or other external factors that are out of their control. Rely on integrated property management platforms or maintenance systems to handle tenant calls and maintenance requests, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

This way, when things go wrong (and they will), your tenants will know that you have their best interest at heart.

Need an example of a way you can keep up with all of these aspects of property management? Here’s an example checklist to help you make sure nothing falls through the cracks:

Morning (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM)

• Check and respond to tenant emails and messages
• Review requests submitted through your property management system
• Check rent payment reports for any failed transactions or late payments
• Respond to prospective tenant inquiries from listing platforms

Midday (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM)

• Conduct property showings or virtual tours
• Process new rental applications
• Check in with your property management team

Afternoon (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM)

• Complete tenant screening reports for new applicants
• Prepare lease agreements for approved tenants
• Send rent reminders for upcoming due dates
• Document any property issues or tenant communications

End of Day (5:00 PM - 6:00 PM)

• Review tomorrow's schedule and appointments
• Set up automated responses for after-hours inquiries
• Check that all urgent matters have been addressed
• Update property owners on any significant issues

Naturally, this can be customized to your particular situation, and the best schedule is always the one that you’ll actually keep.

Cross-Cutting Your Skills

These four pillars—marketing, screening, rent collection, and maintenance—are foundational for successful property management. But what really makes a great property manager these days?

Having evolving skills, a growth mindset, and industry knowledge to round things out.

Certifications to Level Up

If you're serious about long-term success, having a few key credentials under your belt can go a long way. Here are some of the most recognized certifications:

• Certified Property Manager (CPM) - Institute of Real Estate Management
• Residential Management Professional (RMP) - National Association of Residential Property Managers
• Real estate license (required in many states)
• Fair Housing Certification
• Brush up on software-specific skills - like TenantCloud's Help Center

Taking the time to invest in the right certification and skills ensures that you're up to date with the latest property management standards, operations, and procedures in the industry–including any new real estate laws and regulations.

Nice-to-Have Skills (To Help You Stand Out)

Soft skills are what build tenant loyalty and owner trust. These traits might include:

• Communication skills - Consider books like Crucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, and Switzler or Talking to Strangers by Malcom Gladwell, etc.
• Organizational Skills - Udemy or Linked In
• Investor Mindset - The Intelligent Investor by Ben Graham
• Decisiveness - Make decisions often to exercise this "muscle"
• Be Driven - Always follow through on your work

You Can Be a Good Property Manager in 2025

So, can you succeed in property management this year and beyond? Absolutely.

The key is knowing what skills are most important, and the subskills that help set your operations apart from competitors:

1. Expertise in Marketing Vacancies
2. Proficiency in Tenant Screenings
3. Efficiency in Collecting Rent
4. Diligence in Maintenance Management

Pair those with smart systems, modern tools, and a commitment to growth, and you're already ahead of the game.

Tip: For property owners considering whether to hire a property management company or go the DIY route, remember that professional property managers bring expertise, systems, and technology that can significantly improve your property's performance and your peace of mind.

Put These Skills Into Action with TenantCloud

TenantCloud's comprehensive property management software gives you all the tools you need to be the best property management professional you can be.

Our property management platform brings together AI-powered automation, mobile technology, and other key features that help property managers, from marketing automations to screening tools, and much more!

Whether you're managing a single rental property or an entire portfolio, TenantCloud scales with your needs while keeping you compliant with the latest regulations.

Start your free 14-day trial today and experience how modern property management technology can help you become the property manager you know you can be!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 5 P's of property management?

A common question that many property managers run into: What are the 5 P's?

1. People - Relationships with tenants, property owners, and vendors
2. Property - Keeping your units in good condition
3. Profit - Optimizing net operating income (NOI) and reducing expenses
4. Processes - Systems that run like clockwork
5. Performance - Measuring and improving key metrics over time

These fundamentals will help you become a well-rounded property manager no matter your portfolio size.

What is the hardest part of being a property manager?

One of the biggest challenges rental managers face is balancing competing stakeholder interests while maintaining compliance. (This does not apply to DIY landlords, who run their own rental property management company.)

Property managers who work in a business must simultaneously satisfy property owners seeking maximum returns, tenants expecting quality service, and regulatory requirements that constantly evolve. This can be a tough balance–but it’s not impossible with the right skills!

What does the golden rule mean to a property manager?

"Manage every property as if it were your own." This “golden rule” principle of property management means you work to treat each property with care and respond promptly to maintenance issues. Successful property managers apply this standard consistently, building trust and a positive reputation in their local market.

Can you make 100k in property management?

We're not experts on this side of things, but we've seen many successful property management companies in our community. Like many things, if you have the right skills, hard work, and are at the right place at the right time, it's definitely possible.